Vanity case



March 17, 1936. A. REILLY 2,034,667

VANITY CASE Original Filed March 15, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l 'ZZ jgfz ecZ FReL y ATTORNEYS o QM 17, 1936. A. F. R E]| LY 2,034,667

VANITY CASE Original Filed March 15, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR yam-ed Eff/all BY w MZYS Patented Mar. 17, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFEEE VANITY CASE Original application March 15, 1932, Serial-No. 598,910. Divided and this application May 8, 1935, Serial No. 20,439

15 Claims.

This invention relates to vanity cases, and with regard to certain specific features to a flexible pouch adapted to form part of a vanity case.

One object of the invention is to provide an attractive vanity case. Another object of the invention is to provide a vanity case which may be tightly sealed. Another object of the invention is to provide a vanity case which shall occupy but a small space. Another object of the invention is to provide a vanity case having a simple and practical closure and fastening device. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter.

This application is a division of my application, Serial No. 598,910, filed March 15, 1932, Patent Number 2,001,690, May 14, 1935.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown one of various possible embodiments of the mechanical features of this invention,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a vanity case constructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the inside of the vanity case and its cover;

Figure 3 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on the line 4--4 of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a fragmentary side elevation on an enlarged scale, showing an unfastening device;

Figure 6 is a front view of the unfastening device;

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the construction of a mirror retaining ring;

Figure 8 is a front elevation of a modified form of vanity case showing the cover in open position;

Figure 9 is a sectional view of the vanity case of Figure 8 on an enlarged scale, showing the 40 cover in closed position, the section through the cover being on the line 99 of Figure 8 and the section through the bottom part being parallel thereto;

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line Ill-l0 of Figure 8;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary view showing a side elevation of a catch.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawoO m ,Referring first to Figure 3, I provide a piece of flexible impervious material 20, preferably leather. This material, in a manner which will be hereinafter more fully described, is so shaped that it may be said to lie in or have a surface of the second order, by reason of which, although made of a single piece and having no seam, fold or pucker, it is in the shape of a bag or pouch as shown. The expression surface of the second order is a mathematical one and denotes a surface which, for example, could not be made by any amount of folding of a piece of paper. It should be noted that while a cylindrical surface is a surface of the first order, a seamless cylinder cannot be made from a fiat, membranous ma terial Without change of condition of that material, and thus the existence of a seamless cylindrical portion such as the portion a of the material 20 distinguishes it in kind from ordinary flat material which is cut and sewn, puckered or similarly treated to force it to assume such a shape.

The material 20 likewise has an annular circumferential portion 201) whose surface, after the material is formed, is in a plane and thus is a surface of the first order, this portion 20b merging with and being seamlessly integral with the remainder of the material 20.

Still referring to Figure 3, I provide a ring 2| which is preferably of a single piece of metal and has extending around its entire circumference an upper and inwardly extending portion 22, and a lower inwardly extending portion 23 that likewise extends around the entire circumference of the ring 2| and preferably further toward the center than does the portion 22. The portion 20b of the material 20 is held by the ring 2| between the upper and lower portions 22 and 23, and by reason of the underlapping of the lower portion 23, portion 20b of the material 20 is supported by the ring 2|, and its upper surface inwardly and beyond the end of the upper portion 22 constitutes a gasket 24, preferably of leather, to create a tight seal at this point, by cooperation with cover elements that will be hereinafter described, for the compartment 25 formed by the material 20 which as shown extends downwardly from the ring 2|.

Preferably, as indicated in Figures 3 and 4, the upper portion 22 is rounded over having a curled over portion 22a which bites into the leather 201) thus holding the pouch 20 securely to the ring 2| For the assembly of these two parts, the portions 22 and 23 of the ring 2| are initially spaced apart so as to allow the portion 20b to be inserted between them, and when this has been done they are pressed together with a press and the portion 22a bites into the leather and securely holds the leather to the ring 2|. Preferably also, the under portion 23 is rolled upwardly after the insertion of the fiat portion 20b of the leather, thus to form with the curled over portion 22a a lock to securely hold the pouch.

Referring now to Figures 1, 2, and 4, a hinge element 26 is attached to or formed integral with the ring 2|. Preferably, in order to avoid the use of solder or the like, this hinge element 26 is formed by pressing outwardly a portion of the circumference of the ring 2|, and then cutting substantially triangular shaped pieces out of opposite sides of a central portion which thus constitutes the hinge element and through which may be passed a hinge pin 21. A cover which is generally designated by the numeral 28 has a pair of hinge elements 29, 29 which preferably are integral with it to avoid the use of solder, and by means of the parts described cover 28 is hinged to the ring 2|.

The cover 28 in this particular embodiment of the invention comprises a disc-like piece of sheet metal 30 having an outer peripheral portion 3| bounded on the inside by an annular indentation 32, the central portion of the sheet metal being desirably slightly bulged as shown in Figures land 3 to give strength to the cover and to enhance the appearance thereof. The hinge elements 29, 29 may be made by striking downwardly a portion of the metal of the cover; .in other words, when the cover is initially cut, projecting portions are left in the otherwise circular piece of metal.

Referring now to Figure 3, suitably secured to the sheet metal 30, as by soldering, is an annular seat member 33 preferably of metal, which when the cover 28 is closed presses against the leather gasket 24 thus securely sealing thecompartment 25. This annular seat member 33 has a depending portion 34 and an inwardly extending portion 35 which is thus spaced from the underside of the sheet metal member 30. In the space so defined fits a mirror 36 which is held therein by a mirror holding ring 31 which firmly grips the mirror and also provides means for firm attach- :ment to the portion 35 of the annular seat member 33.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 7, the mirror retaining ring 31 is preferably formed of a single piece of metal and, considered in cross-section at any point, the mirror ring includes an arcuate lower portion 38 merging into a fiat upper portion 39 from which extends vertically upward a cylindrical portion 40, the latter being spaced from the outside edge of the portion 38 leaving a marginal peripheral part 38a of the portion 38 extending outwardly beyond the outside of the cylindrical portion 40. At a plurality of points in the circumference of the cylindrical portion 4|], preferably three or more, are integral upward extensions 4|. The mirror 36 is of a size to fit inside the cylindrical portion 46 and to be supported by the portion 39 of the mirror ring 3?, and is secured to the mirror ring 37 by bending over the extensions 4|, which thus comprise tabs to hold the mirror firmly in place. In the outside of the cylindrical portion 4!] are formed a plurality of snaps 42 which may be located in alignment with the tabs 4| and preferably are made by indenting the inner side of the cylindrical portion with a tool which is so shaped that the snaps constitute segments of cones with their bases on the bottom. The outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 4|] is less by a slight margin than the inner diameter of the opening defined by the ledge 35, and when the mirror ring 31 is placed in this opening and forced. with a certain degree of pressure into it, the snaps 42 give enough to allow it to go into place with the portion 39 against the portion 35, and when that is done the mirror 36 is firmly attached to the cover 28.

Referring now to Figure 5, extending from the periphery of the outer portion 3| of the cover 28 and preferably opposite the hinge elements 29 is a downwardly extending loop 43 which may be and preferably is integral with the sheet metal 36. This loop 43 constitutes a snap catch adapted to embrace the outer rounded edge of the ring 2| and to hold the cover 28 resiliently in closed position, and at the same time it constitutes a pivotal mounting for an unfastening device 44 to permit ready opening of the vanity case. Referring now to Figure 6, this unfastening device 44 includes a looped handle 45 having a pair of inwardly extending arms 46, 46 between which extends in an intermediate position thereof a cross member 41 adapted to be received in the loop 43 for the mounting of the opening device 44. Referring to Figure 2, preferably the loop 43 has a slot 48 in the outer portion thereof through which extends a lug 49 (see Figure 6) formed integrally with the pivotal cross piece 41, this lug constituting a stop to prevent the handle part 45 of the opening device 44 from being raised beyond a certain position. The opening device 44 may be attached to the loop 43 by closing the latter after the cross piece 41 and the lug 49 are placed in position.

When it is desired to close the cover 28, the peripheral portion 3| and the ring 2| are pressed together with the fingers and the cover automatically closes, and it is noted that interference with the closing action by the arms 46, 46 and the opening device 44 is prevented by means of the lug 49. When it is desired to open the vanity case, the handle 45 is raised, which depresses the arms 46, 46 the inside ends of which are in contact with the upper portion of the ring 2|, and the device acts as a pry to force the cover and ring 2| apart.

Referring vnow to Figures 2 and 3, the material 20 constitutes a pouch for the reception of loose powder 50 and also, if desired, a powder pulf 5|. The powder puff maybe of any suitable form, desirably of some soft material and desirably has a ribbon or other holding device 52. By reason of the tight seal between the gasket 24 and the seat member 33, it is practically impossible for powder to escape from the vanity case. It will be noted that all metal parts are located in a disc-like portion of very little width when the cover 28 is in closed position, and consequently the article can be compressed into a very small space. The powder puff used may be itself compressible or a very thin one may be employed if desired.

Referring now to Figures 8 to 11 inclusive, a modification is therein illustrated having certain of the features already described and certain additional desirable features. The material 20 may be and preferably is the same as the material already described in connection with the embodiment of Figures 1 to 7 inclusive, and other parts not specifically mentioned may be the same as already described in connection with the embodiment of Figures 1 to '7 inclusive. Referring now more particularly to Figure 9, a metal ring 54 has a downwardly extending cylindrical portion 55 and an outwardly extending peripheral portion 56. The portion 56 is located between the portion 26b of the material 20 and the portion 23 of the ring 2|. In this manner the ring 54 is firmly attached to the ring 2| upon assembly of the material and these two rings. Extending circumferentially around the ring 54 as is better indicated in Figure 8 are a plurality of holes for the attachment to the ring 54 of links 51. The links 51 constitute the upper links of a mesh bag 58 which may be of metal or other suitable material. This metal mesh 58 not only gives the article an attractive appearance but also protects the material 20 from wear, without interfering with the collapsibility of the vanity case as a whole. The vanity case is indicated in a collapsed position in Figure 9.

The cover 28 of the modification now being described may retain a mirror such as the mirror 36, but as shown in Figures 8, 9, and 10 there is provided a rouge holding member 60 which interlocks with the ring 3'! in the same manner as does the mirror 36. The member 60 desirably comprises a cylindrical portion 6|, an outwardly extending portion 62, and a U-shaped portion 63 in the form of an integral ring, the outer edge of the U-shaped portion 63 being retained between the tabs 4| and the portion 39 of the ring 31. The cylindrical portion 6| and the inside 30 of the cover define a compartment 64 for the reception of rouge 65 adhering to a disc 66. Referring to Figure 9, a portion of the metal 62 is struck downwardly and rolled over to form one or more hinge members 6! by means of which a metal disc 68 having corresponding hinge members 69 (see now Figure 8) is hinged to the member 60 by a hinge pin Ill. The disc 68 constitutes a cover for the compartment 64 and may be polished to present a mirrored surface.

Referring now to Figures 8 and 10, struck downwardly from the portion 62 of the member 60 is a tab H adapted to receive and hold in position the mirror cover 68 which, however,-may be opened by inserting the finger nail under a downwardly bent portion 12 constituting an opening device.

Referring now to Figures 8 and 11, another style of opening device is shown constituting a U-shaped piece of wire I3 which is secured in any desired manner as by soldering to the ring 2|, the front portion thereof being inclined upwardly from the plane of the ring 2|. When the member 13 and the loop 43 are grasped between two fingers and pressed together the cover 28 is opened.

The process and the apparatus herein described are claimed in a separate application, being a division from the present application.

It will thus be seen that there has been provided by this invention an article in which the various objects hereinabove set forth, together with many thoroughly practical advantages, are successfully achieved.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the mechanical features of the above invention, all without departing from the scope of the invention, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In an article of the class described, in combination, a ring member, a pouch for holding powder or the like having its edge secured substantially along the inner side of said ring member and depending downwardly therefrom, and means forming a cover hingedly connected to said ring member to close down on the opening formed thereby, said means including a part adapted to fit tightly against a portion of said pouch when said cover is in said closed position to retain the powder within the pouch.

2. In an article of the class described, in combination, a ring member, a flexible pouch for holding powder or the like secured to said ring member, a cover hingedly connected to said ring member to close down on the opening formed thereby, and means forming a seal between said cover and said pouch to retain the powder in said pouch when said cover is in its closed position.

3. In an article of the class described, in combination, a ring member, an impervious flexible pouch for holding powder or the like secured to said ring member, a cover for the opening formed by said ring member, and a part secured to said cover and extending into said opening when said cover is in its closed position, said part contacting portions of said pouch to form a seal to retain the powder within the pouch.

4. In an article of the class described, in combination, a ring member, a flexible pouch for holding powder or the like secured to said ring member, a cover hingedly connected to said ring member to close down on the opening formed thereby, means forming a seal between said cover and said pouch to retain the powder in said pouch when said cover is in its closed position, and means for releasably securing said cover in said closed position.

5. In an article of the class described, in combination, a ring member, a flexible pouch for holding powder or the like secured to said ring member, a cover hingedly connected to said ring member to close down on the opening formed thereby, means forming a seal between said cover and said pouch to retain the powder in said pouch when said cover is in its closed position, and means for releasably securing said cover in said closed position, said means including a resilient part extending from said cover to snap over the periphery of said ring member when said cover is closed down thereover.

6. In an article of the class described, in combination, a ring member substantially U-shaped in cross section and having its spaced edges extending inwardly toward the center of the ring member, means forming a flexible powder retaining pouch having its edge gripped within said ring member and depending downwardly therefrom, a cover hingedly connected to said ring member to close down on the opening formed thereby, and a part interposed between said cover and said ring member and fitting firmly against a portion of said pouch to hold said powder in said pouch when said cover is in said closed position.

7. In an article of the class described, in combination, a ring member substantially U-shaped in cross section formed so that the spaced edges thereof extend inwardly toward the center of the ring member, means forming a flexible pouch for retaining powder or the like and having its edge gripped within said ring member and depending downwardly therefrom, a portion of said pouch adjacent the upper inner edge of said ring member forming a ridge, a cover for the opening formed by said ring member, and means secured to said cover adapted to fit firmly against said ridge to hold said powder in said pouch when said cover is in said closed position.

8. In an article of the class described, in combination, a ring member, an impervious flexible pouch for holding powder or the like having its edge secured substantially along the inner side of said ring member and depending downwardly therefrom whereby a portion of said pouch adjacent the upper inner edge of said ring member forms an annular ridge, a cover hingedly connected to said ring member to close down on the opening formed thereby, and a rigid ring part secured to the side of said cover facing said ring member and shaped and located to fit firmly against said ridge to hold said powder in said pouch when said cover is in said closed position.

9. In an article of the class described, in combination, a ring member, a powder holding pouch secured to said ring member, a cover for said pouch, and means associated with said cover for sealing said pouch against the escape of powder therefrom when said cover is in a closed position.

10. In an article of the class described, in combination, a ring member, an impervious flexible powder holding pouch secured to said ring member, and closure means for said pouch, said means including a part adapted to prevent the sifting of powder between said pouch and said closure when said pouch is closed.

11. In an article of the class described, in combination, a ring member, an impervious flexible pouch for holding powder or the like having its edge secured substantially along the inner side of said ring member and depending downwardly therefrom, the portion of said pouch adjacent said ring member forming substantially a ridge, a cover hingedly connected to said ring member to close down on the opening formed thereby, and a rigid ring part secured to the side of said cover facing said ring and shaped and located to fit tightly against said ridge when said cover is in said closed position to retain the powder within the pouch.

12. In an article of the class described, in combination, a ring member substantially U-shaped in cross section formed so that the spaced edgesthereof extend inwardly toward the center of the ring member, means forming a flexible pouch for retaining powder or the like having its edge gripped within said ring member and depending downwardly therefrom, a portion of said pouch adjacent the upper inner edge of said ring member forming a ridge, a cover hingedly connected to said ring member to close down on the opening formed thereby, and a rigid ring part secured to the side of said cover facing said ring member and shaped and located to fit'firmly against said ridge to hold said powder in said pouch when said cover is in said closed position.

13. In an article of the class described, in combination, a ring member substantially U-shaped in cross section formed so that the spaced edges thereof extend inwardly toward the center of the ring member, means forming a flexible pouch for retaining powder or the like having its edge gripped within said ring member and depending downwardly therefrom, a portion of said pouch adjacent the upper inner edge of said ring member forming a ridge having a smooth unrufiled surface, a cover hingedly connected to said ring member to close down on the opening formed thereby, and a. rigid ring part secured to the side of said cover facing said ring member and shaped and located to rest firmly against said ridge when said cover is in said closed position.

14. In an article of the class described, in combination, a ring member substantially U-shaped in cross section formed so that the spaced edges thereof extend inwardly toward the center of the ring member, the lower edge of said ring member extending further toward the center of said ring member than the upper edge thereof, means forming a pouch for retaining powder or the like having its edge gripped within said ring member and depending downwardly therefrom, a portion of said pouch adjacent the upper inner edge of said ring member forming a ridge, a cover hingedly connected to said ring member to close down on the opening formed thereby, and a ring part secured tothe side of said cover facing said ring member and shaped and located to fit firmly down upon said ridge to retain said powder in said pouch when said cover is in said closed position.

15. In an article of the class described, in combination, a ring member, a powder pouch or the like having its edge secured substantially along the inner side of said ring member and depending downwardly therefrom, the portion of said pouch adjacent said ring member forming a ridge, a cover for the opening defined by said ring member, and an annular part secured to the under side of said cover, said part including a portion adapted to seat firmly on said ridge when said cover is in a closed position, said part also including a portion adapted to enter into said pouch when said cover is closed.

ALFRED F. REILLY. 

